New Seniors » New Seniors

Is health care as we know it over for boomers turning 65?

Don Potter: Editor-in-Chief — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 02:20:29 +0000

If you are one of the millions of boomers turning 65, better brace yourself for changes in medical care thanks to the new health care legislation. About half the dollars to insure the 32 million new people to be covered under the new law will be generated by reducing fees paid to hospitals and health care providers participating in the Medicare program. This cost is pegged at $500 billion and will have long-term and far-reaching affects on how New Seniors receive medical services.

To begin with, there are 44 million Americans on Medicare. Of these, more than 25%, 11.3 million are covered by Medicare Advantage. Those with this plan will start experiencing cut-backs in 2012. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that if Medicare and Social Security are not changed, these programs will account for 50% of all federal spending by 2035.

The news is particularly disconcerting for boomers turning 65 next year. This generation will turn 65 at the rate of one every ten second and continue to do so through 2030. Many of the retiring baby boomers, even those who planned for the future, will rely on Medicare and Social Security to live with some degree of comfort in the years ahead.

Some in Congress say the only way to avert the future budget fiasco is to cut-back Social Security benefits, raise the retirement age and institute means testing to determine which retirees get what and how much. It does not take a rocket scientist to conclude that this kind of thinking will be applied to health care benefits as well.

It’s possible that the boomers turning 65 in 2015 and later will be the first to suffer. Retiring baby boomers in the future might have to wait until they are 75 to receive Social Security and Medicare coverage could be delayed until age 70. Expect a redistribution of funds within Social Security system, while every Medicare recipient will feel the affects of budget cutbacks in the quality and extent of care and services.

We paid into Social Security all our working life. We accepted rate increases and paying on a greater percentage of our salaries as our incomes increased. We paid our taxes and through this helped fund Medicare since its inception in 1965. We were promised by our elected officials that our dollars would be spent wisely and be there when we reached retirement age. We were lied to by the very people who told us we needed these benefits.

It’s too late for folks who are already retired to go back and make the money we might need to offset changes in Social Security or Medicare – just as we will never be able to replace the money in our IRAs and other retirement investments that fell by a third when the current recession hit. It’s up to the New Seniors, those born between 1930 and 1945, to lead the way in getting the politicians to understand and do something about the problems we face. And it’s up to those boomers turning 65 next year or in the near future to join us in this effort. Together we can, and will, make a difference.

What is the most important thing to consider when it comes to retirement living?

Don Potter: Editor-in-Chief — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:50:45 +0000

Maybe it’s me, but a friend, who is also a pre-boomer, told me he is moving into a retirement facility later this year. I could not determine if he was pleased or simply resigned to it. This man is younger than I am, so it got me to thinking about this as an option down the road. Probably many of us at the farther end of the generation born between 1930 and 1945 have thought about this possibility, so let’s explore it.

When I was able to finally convince my parents to give up the house outside Philadelphia and move to Los Angeles, it was a big deal for them. Both were in the mid-eighties and had lived on the east coast all their lives. Even after down-sizing to a smaller home, they were reluctant to leave the few friends who were still living, the neighborhood where they felt comfortable and the church in which they were active.

Of course, time was taking its toll. Dad had a couple of major heart operations and mom had arthritis and an increasingly difficult case of osteoporosis. So, when I showed them the brochures from several places that met their requirements and pointed out that they could see their grandchildren and great grandchildren on a regular basis, both decided to consider the idea. Within a few months, they signed up to live in a lovely independent living facility, one with assisted living and skilled nursing as well, and only a few miles from my house. My folks sold their home, sold the car (which was hard for dad) and had a huge garage sale before the movers packed them up and brought their remaining belongings to the golden state for them to spend their golden years.

Fortunately, they made friends quickly and became active in their new community. Mom loved not having to prepare meals or do housework. Dad got used to not driving and was fine with not doing handy-work any longer. I got to spend time with them and so did my kids and grandchildren. Doctors came to the facility or transportation was provided for appointments with specialists. Two years after moving in mom fell and broke her hip, shortly thereafter dad had a similar experience. After both had surgery, they ended up sharing a room in a skilled nursing facility but would never go back to independent living.

They moved into assisted living and spent the last two years of their lives there, interrupted by with many stays in the hospital. It was sad to see them deteriorate as they aged, but at least we spent lots of time together. As an only child, I’m grateful for this. Mom died suddenly just two days after reaching her ninetieth birthday, and dad passed on three months later at age ninety-one. That was five years ago. Having them close enough to enjoy visits and outings and being able to celebrate the various milestones together was a blessing for them as well as the entire family.

If it had not been for this retirement community and the care the staff provided, we would have been separated during the last important years. As a New Senior, I’m not sure what I’ll want to do about living arrangements ten or more years from now. My long-term care insurance provides for home or facility care, and the family is all in the LA area, so no matter what I choose to do, they’ll be nearby. To me, that’s the most important thing.

Is experience all it’s cracked up to be?

a NewSeniors contributor — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 01:42:55 +0000

Some say experience is what you gain when you don’t get what you want. A less cynical way to look at what New Seniors offer society is the knowledge base and the character built by having lived life for 65+ years. We can look back on even the seemingly bad times and still find something worthwhile to share with other generations. So our role is to be the teachers of life’s lessons for all who listen and observe.

Those born between 1930 and 1945 have a wealth of experience simply because we were lucky enough to be born in difficult times. The Great Depression and WWII brought much pain and suffering to our parents. We did not endure the experiences thrust upon them. The need for a job, food, clothing and shelter were the basics denied many in the ‘30s. And for the first half of the ‘40s the reality of war took its toll in human lives and emotional distress.

What we don’t remember from those days, we heard about from those who raised us. They believed it was important to know what happened, how they got through those difficult times and were committed to provide us with the opportunity for better lives than they had. These events, and what the Greatest Generation learned from the experience, then became the foundation on which our lives were built. What they taught us about values, teamwork and belief in a common cause are things we will never forget.

Even during the dark days, when our parents were hurting, we were kids and therefore saw more of the brighter sides of life. They took the blows for us and got us on the road to success. Probably no generation had more educational and career doors opened as wide as we did. What an experience. We were the roots of rock and roll. Most of us were in school and missed the Korean War. We saw segregation exposed and integration come in. Watched the Vietnam War come into our living rooms through the magic of television, when just a few years earlier we were being entertained by Howdy Doody and Uncle Milty. Lived through a short missile crisis and a long cold war. And experienced the assassination of a president and a civil rights leader. All left lasting impressions.

The civil unrest during our lifetimes ranged from union disputes, mostly when we were young to the civil rights, women’s rights and anti-war protests. The first two resulted in justice and the later ended with the United States losing its first war. All three had a profound effect on how the nation thinks today. Along the way, we witnessed a president resign, the Soviet Union melt down, China emerge and another president go through the impeachment process. There was also gay rights, smoking bans, the Internet, emails, ethanol, reality TV, texting, social networking, apps and a lot more.

Living through the events and developments of the past 65+ years does not make New Seniors experts, but it does make us experienced. We have gone through more change in our lifetimes than previous generations. Therefore, New Seniors learned how to navigate around and through change, accept it and not lose sight of the values we were taught. And we’re willing to share it, because experience really is all it’s cracked up to be.

What kid didn’t love summer?

Don Potter: Editor-in-Chief — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 05:48:26 +0000

Pre-boomers were born during the Great Depression or WWII. In spite of hard times the nation experienced, growing up during that era was easier and softer for us in many ways. Some say it was the lack of money that caused us to find simpler means for having fun. Others point to most households having a stay-at-home mom. Another popular notion is that we were the last traditional generation. Actually, all three opinions had a meaningful influence on those who are now New Seniors. Here’s why.

It was a safer time when we were growing up or we just didn’t know about the dangers lurking in the shadows. Either way, the kids in Philadelphia where I lived were out of the house first thing on those summer mornings. If we weren’t playing in the neighborhood, the boys went off to the park for a pick up game of baseball. After going home for lunch, it was back on the streets again. Maybe this time we’d walk a few blocks to the community playground with swings, monkey bars and lots of supervised activities, plus the chance to play various sports such as baseball, tennis and basketball. There was no reason to be bored.

A sudden summer storm never dampened our spirits. We’d wait under cover for those big drops of rain to stop and go right back to what we were doing. The smell after those welcomed showers lingered until the driving heat dried up the moisture on the ground as it evaporated back into the muggy air causing the humidity to wrap itself around us like a blanket. But, as kids, we didn’t care. When we got a full day of rain, we’d build models, organize a ping pong tournament at a friend’s who had a table set up in the basement or engage in a marathon of board and card games. Sometimes we’d head to the theater to catch the matinee show. There was always something to do.

We always had to be home for dinner, some called it supper, but then we were out until the street lights went on. Nightly, youngster chased lightning bugs and placed them in a jar with air holes in the cap and some grass in the bottom. We’d put them near the back door and see how many survived in the morning. How come none of them ever made it through the night? Would this kind of activity be considered politically incorrect today?

As we got older, more time was spent with friends in adjacent neighborhoods and our source of summer activities widened to include Police Athletic League (PAL) baseball, swimming at the local pools and creeks or the swim team at the YMCA. Some of us got to go to camp, visit a lake house or go to the Jersey Shore.

No matter what we did, summer was a time of leisure and good, clean fun until the time came to get a summer job. But that wasn’t so bad either, because it gave us some spending cash. Those were great times. And telling our grandchildren about those times shows them what it used to be like and reminds us that times have changed. Come to think of it, the biggest change may be that today’s neighborhoods aren’t as tight-knit and there are not as many kids to play with. That sure reduces the options for having fun.

Will New Seniors make their voices heard at the ballot box?

-NewSeniors Editorial — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 05:00:44 +0000

An unrepresentative form of government, or one that treats the majority of Americans that way, may be the reason behind the President’s plummeting approval rating and why so many Congressional incumbents facing re-election in November are likely to be sent home rather than back to Washington. Less than 18 months after the new administration was seated, citizens are dissatisfied with the direction in which the country is going, especially those 65+.

According to Gallup polling, the President’s approval as of June 13 dropped to its lowest rating of 46% compared to 67% during inauguration week last year. The youngest group, 18 to 29, was the only one to give the nation’s chief executive a positive grade of 56%, while those 65+ ranked the President’s job performance at just 38%.

Only those making less than $24,000 annually showed a favorable majority for the President, 52%, and this is down from a high of 72%. In addition, married people and church-goers had lower approval ratings for the President than their counterparts.

For Congress, the numbers are bleak. Rasmussen reports an overwhelming 65% of likely voters polled June 9 to 10 say the country would be better off if incumbents were defeated. The results for those 65+ came in slightly higher at 67%.

When asked if there would be a noticeable change in the lives of Americans if the a GOP gains control in the fall, 42% said, “Yes.” A sentiment that was shared by 51% of the New Seniors. However, 67% don’t believe the GOP has done a good job in representing Republican values or have lost touch with the voters, 73% of those 65+ agree. For the Democrats, the numbers are 52% for the total survey and 59% for those over 65.

This results suggest that most politicians are in trouble regardless of party affiliation. That the core voters of the country, those with a greater sense of moral values, tradition and a belief in the American way of life are more upset with what’s going on in Washington than the general population. And, since these sub-groups are more likely to vote than any others in a mid-term election, those not representing our interests are liable to be on the outside looking in come November.

Now, more than ever, New Seniors must be aware of the power we represent at the polls. There are more than 30 million of us born between 1930 and 1945, which is greater than the entire adult Hispanic population, legal and illegal, living in the United States. Also there are more New Seniors than African-Americans of voting age. Yet, we are regularly pandered to at best and ignored at worst by politicians on both sides of the aisle.

We will account for as much as one-third of the total votes cast in the upcoming election. That’s enough to swing virtually every election nationwide. So pick you candidate. Get together with other like-minded folks in your community, and do your part to elect people who will respond to the needs of all New Seniors.

How do you know you’re a New Senior?

-NewSeniors Editorial — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 01:59:53 +0000

If you think you know what its like to be 65, how about answering these questions. What’s it feel like to be retired? Do you remember how old you were when you realized you were 65? How far into the future do you make plans? Have people gotten up so you can have a seat? When was the first time someone called you an old-timer (fogey, coot, geezer or as a senior) ? If you haven’t experienced any of these just wait. It’ll happen.

When they stop asking for your opinion at work, the phone stops ringing or the boss starts asking what you’re looking forward to most in retirement. It’s time to consider getting out, moving on and finding your new niche in life – especially if you have a retirement plan in place that will allows you to do this with some degree of comfort. After all, the worst feeling one can have is to be edged out through innuendo, the cold shoulder or downgrading. You didn’t work all your adult years to end up with the feeling of being less than.

On the other hand, if you’re already out of the workforce, you may be having a different kind of identity crisis. Many of us were so involved in our jobs that it became a struggle to accept this new found freedom. Those who, before retirement, were asked, “how are you doing,” and told the questioner about work fall into this category. Walking away from all the responsibilities of life or diving into as many activities as possible, including the seeking of a new job, are two favorite extremes of the newly retired. But these problems will balance out over time. They really will.

Whether you are from either end of the spectrum or someplace in-between, there is a clear need for the experience, knowledge and maturity that New Seniors offer. It can be in pursuing a hobby you never had time for, taking what you learned in business and apply it to activities that help individuals (it could be others 65+ but less fortunate than you) or it may be right to reinvent oneself and going back into the workforce. The latter option may be least satisfying of all. Take time to evaluate the options. It may take time to discover what fits your temperament, interests and schedule. Experiment, you have plenty of time. Look at it like an adventure; start off and see where the path takes you.

Of course, if you have been a New Senior for several years, chances are you’ve tried all, or most all, of the activities mentioned above. Finding your groove is very satisfying. But if you’re still seeking something new, go for it. And while you’re doing that, consider how much you experience you’ve gained getting to this point in life. Often knowing what you don’t want to do is as important as having a bunch of paths to pursue.

If you’re new at being a New Senior, log onto http://www.NewSeniors.com and see what your peers are doing. Tell us about what your thoughts are for the future and we’ll share it with others, anonymously if you wish. Read about the activities others are engaged in. Connect with those who are doing what you want to do, and find out how they got started in making a difference with family, friends and their community. You’ll see how vital and helpful we all can be. And, welcome to the neighborhood.

New Seniors are the nation’s new architects

-NewSeniors Editorial — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 00:18:10 +0000

Don’t be put off by this bold statement, but don’t dismiss it either. The plans for this country were drawn up by the founding fathers. Our ancestors who came here believed in the promise America offered and found a place where they could be free to pursue their dreams. They built the country. Now it’s time to remodel.

Through all kinds of conflicts, including a civil war, we learned and grew. Two World Wars with a Depression in the middle, tested our character and tenacity; and, as a people, we became stronger. The age of convenience followed. Soon, this peace dividend was interrupted by social unrest sparked by the civil rights, women’s rights and anti-war movements. Another long period of peace-time prosperity and the tech/information age made everything rosy.

Then, the wheels fell off. The tech bubble burst, terrorist attacks and a financial meltdown occurred. Except for a brief period of time, when we came together following the 9/11 disaster, the country has been divided and the battle of words is inflammatory.

New Seniors can’t fix the nation’s problems alone, but we’ve seen enough to know what worked and what didn’t in the 65 years or more that we’ve been around. We know that the entire country needs to take a deep collective breath before engaging in more mud slinging, character assassinations and never-ending name calling. We cannot debate our current situation and what the future holds if the various sides of the issues are not part of the discussion. In short, we won’t get anywhere unless we are inclusive and civil.

Hurt feelings and blind ideology must be put aside if reason is to prevail. Some say there are too many single issue advocates pushing their own agendas. Others blame the lobbyists and their greedy clients. And, there are politicians addicted to power who are willing to do what their party demands rather than what the people need and want.

It all starts when two people talk with each other and find out what they have in common. It’s amazing how much common ground can be found when folks have honest discussions. Friends, neighbors, relatives are good to begin with. Telling another about your personal concerns opens the door for them to reciprocate. Once some agreement is reached, the two of you need to go find two more people and repeat the process. Encourage these recruits to do the same thing. And, before long there is a virtual army of people marching on common ground.

The concept of multiplication is simple, but implementing it is not so easy. But, New Seniors are fortunate. There is an online forum where those 65+ have the opportunity to be heard about any subject you believe other New Seniors might be interested in. You can connect in a civil way with the community, by name or anonymously. Get the discussion going, logon now and tell us about what’s on your mind. Together we can be the architects of today and help build a better tomorrow for our children and their children too.

New Seniors have the votes to change the political landscape

-NewSeniors Editorial — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:56:54 +0000

When does blind faith end and fiscal responsibility begin to sink into the minds of the politicians in Washington? With the nation’s economy and attention to financial stability as the top issues, according to about 60% of adults, elected officials continue to ignore conventional wisdom in favor of more spending. To many of them, throwing money at a problem is the only answer they know, even though polls show that people are tiring of this kind of thinking.

Those of us born between 1930 and 1945 know the people of this country are capable of extraordinary accomplishments. We saw the ramping for the War effort in the early ‘40s and how what was learned could be used to build TVs, better cars (plus the interstate system to drive them on) as well as bring all kinds of conveniences to the average citizen. We put a man on the moon and invented the Internet. These breakthroughs occurred because government and business worked together and the American people united behind these challenges. And everyone benefited from it.

Today, it’s a different story. Government is controlling the agenda and no matter what we say, they are determined to do it their way. Somehow these public servants evolved into a small, yet powerful, group that has been endowed with superior insight and intellect, at least in their own minds. Do you believe they have your best interest at heart? If so, then you must trust the guy who masterminded the Watergate break-in and now sells gold on TV declaring it is the safest investment of all.

First we had the nearly trillion dollar stimulus, much of which is not spent. Then there was the battle over the trillion dollar Health care bill. Plus bailouts, cash for clunkers and a variety of unfunded programs have inflated the budget deficit and helped push the national debt to more than 13 trillion dollars. This saddens New Seniors, because our children and grandchildren will inherit these debts and pay the consequences.

The most recent unfunded and unplanned expense suggested by the administration is to dive into unknown waters and start spending money to make America greener. If America had the technology to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, surely we would have heard about it by now. But we don’t have this capability yet. Rather then levy taxes on petroleum products and carbon emission, we should incentivize the development of affordable alternatives to oil, through tax credits for example, and let the private sector do what they do best – create new concepts and, with success, hire more workers.

This is the time for New Seniors to take a stand against out-of-control spending that does little or nothing to make life better and more affordable for the average American or those of us of fixed incomes. Let your elected representatives know you want less not more spending. Remind them that the mid-term elections are not far off. And, just in case the politicians have forgotten, point out to them that New Seniors are expected to account for nearly a third of the votes cast in November. If that doesn’t get their attention, then vote for someone else.

How to help the New Seniors effort

-NewSeniors Editorial — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 02:37:29 +0000

The number of visitors to NewSeniors.com has dramatically increased over the past several months. This growth may be due to our higher rankings on search engines. Or it could be because of publicity generated through the traditional media. Best of all, it appears the site is benefiting from people like you telling others to take a look at us.

Those of us involved in producing the online magazine and the neighborhood sections of NewSeniors.com thank you for help us come so far so quickly. It all stated about a year ago when one of our founders saw the need for creating a vehicle for those 65+. While there were publications and Internet sites claiming to reach those 50 and older or retirees in general, there was nothing for the “new Seniors” those born between 1930 and 1945, also known as Pre-boomers, of which there are 30 million of us.

Being part of this age group had its frustrations, since no one was speaking to and for the New Seniors. In fact, this demographic is pretty much the forgotten generation. Yet we may be the last group of Americans taught by the Greatest Generation. This means we have the responsibility to give back what we have received to those coming behind us. The values, traditions and a belief in the inherent goodness of America, coupled with the knowledge gained through experience, puts New Seniors in the position of being the moral compass for a nation that seems to have lost its direction.

We did not ask to be placed in this position, it just happened. But we’ll gladly accept the challenges it brings. The first thing we must do is connect with one another. This is where NewSeniors.com comes in. It is designed to be the online location where we can civilly express our views, debate issues and hopefully join together to make a difference for our families, our friends and our communities.

Next, we must welcome the Baby Boomers as they become New Seniors. Starting next year, they will be turning 65 at the rate of one every 10 seconds. And this will continue through 2030, until all 76 million of them complete the journey. Boomers don’t really know what being 65 is all about, since they have not been here before. But we know and can help them understand what lies ahead as they move to this new phase of life. And we can help them make the transition while empowering them to give back, too.

To make our efforts as successful as possible, we need you help. It’s easy, won’t take much time and only you can do it. Here’s the request. Select 5 people from your list of online contacts who qualify as New Seniors. Send them an e-mail containing our link, http://www.NewSeniors.com , and ask them to check out the site. That’s all there is to it. Of course, if you want to invite more people to take a look at us, be our guest.

And, if you want to get more involved, contact us with articles, comments, suggestions or whatever else you want to share with the editorial staff and others. We need your help to keep NewSeniors.com the site were those 65+ come to connect with each other.

“New Seniors” are on a mission

-NewSeniors Editorial — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 02:45:40 +0000

We are the most fortunate individuals in American history. Because of the hard work and sacrifices of the Greatest Generation and those before them, we received much. For this we are grateful. The values, traditions and hopeful spirit of the builders and defenders of this country are a legacy which we now have the responsibility to pass on to generations following us.

The gifts we received are not ours to keep. These were to be used for positive purposes, kept intact and given to our families, friends and communities so they could enjoy the American dream as we have. Our days of work are over or coming to an end. This is not because we are no longer capable; it is simply that we have other contributions to make. And now is the time to devote our energies to making a difference.

New Seniors is not an organization in the classic sense. We do not come together based on race, religion, country of origin, occupation, political parties or any of the descriptions that tend to separate Americans from one another. While we support the betterment of all, our commonality is simple. We are 65+ and share a concern about the specific well-being of others in this age group, a group that is ignored all too often. And, we are willing to commitment our time and talents to advance this cause.

New Seniors represent a unique state-of-mind. We are an amalgamation of thoughts and beliefs about what is right and what needs to be done in order to make our collective lives better. Currently there are 30 million Pre-boomers, born between 1930 and 1945, all 65 or older.

Baby Boomers start turning 65 next year, at the rate of one every 10 seconds, with this intensity continuing through 2030. So, with our growing numbers, we have the power to make things happen so long as we have the conviction to stick with it – a trait we have been known for over the years.

Your goal may be to have a voice in health care reform for seniors, help others prepare for retirement, improve local schools or a variety of other worthwhile activities. Whatever it is, New Seniors have the combined knowledge, experience and ability to help. There are many things to be accomplished. All it takes is a desire to participate.

Discover a new world of opportunities at NewSeniors.com. You will find articles of interest and importance to those 65+ along with ways to connect with New Seniors locally or nationwide. There is no better way to experience a sense of connectivity, civility and community. So join us today.